Goodlatte should beef up ATF resources

Goodlatte should beef up ATF resources

the issue of gun violence since the tragic school massacre in Sandy Hook, Conn.

We may disagree on what we'd like Mr. Goodlatte to do.

Many of us, when thinking of guns, envision ourselves on the shooting end. Others of us are concerned that we or our loved ones could be on the receiving end of such weaponry, believing we should be able to rely instead on American civil society -law enforcement

and good governance - for our safety and

security.

Given Mr Goodlatte's predilections, it's a good bet that he'll do on this what the gun lobby says he should do. So here's a suggestion:

The NRA has very often told us that no new gun laws are necessary; that instead we should enforce the laws already on the books.

Fair enough. Bob Goodlatte is now the powerful chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

He thus has oversight of the Justice Department - and of its Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

So join your fellow Valley folk in asking Congressman Goodlatte to use his chairmanship to ensure that the ATF gets the staffing, funding, leadership and support which it needs to enforce our existing laws regarding weapons and weapons trafficking. What could make better sense?